Suction cleaner



Oct; 10, 1950 s. A. BRACE 2,525,282

suc'nou CLEANER Filed Se t. 4, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Gear @A.Brace ATTORNEY.

G. A. BRACE SUCTION CLEANER Oct. 10, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept.4. 194a IN V EN TOR. Geo/'57s A Brace ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 10, 1950 SUCTION CLEANER George A. Brace, Highland Park,Ill., assignor to The Hoover Company, North Canton, Ohio; a

corporation of Ohio Application September 4, 1948, SerialNo. 47,773

16 Claims. 1

Thisinvention relates to suction cleaners, portable tools and the likehaving movable operating handles and more particularly to means forcontrolling the position of the handle relative to the body of the tool.

More specifically, the invention relates to a greatly simplified handlemounting and control which functions automatically to lock the handleagainst downward-movement beyond one or more predeterminedpositions'such as a storage position and an intermediate rest position,and which can be 'readilyunlocked from a remote position by a slightrotary movementgof the handle as a whole.

Accordingly it is an object of the invention to provide an implementoperating handle with a control automatically operable to lock thehandle in one or more positions which control is read-' ily releasableby a slight rotary movement of the handle. Another object is theprovision of a handle control having a single means to counterbalancethe weight of the handle and any attached appurtenances as-well as tobias the locking means toward locking position. Still another object isa new and simplified handle mounting and control arrangement for asuction cleaner, or like device.

Other objects and advantages of this inven tion will become apparent asthe description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

Figure 1 is an enlarged side View of the handle control of thisinvention applied to a suction cleaner with certain parts broken away toshow thedetails of the handlecontrol;

Figure 2 is a view of the handlecontrol proper at right angles to thatof Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is an exploded view .of the handle control proper.

Referring to the drawings the reference numeral I0 represents the bodyof a conventional type suction cleaner. The body ID is supported byfront wheels H and rear wheels I2. The rear wheels [2 may be rigidlyattached-to the body H1 or may be of the resiliently mounted type.

Forwardly of the front wheels II is a suction nozzle I3 which isconnected by a suction pas-' sageway to the suction eye of a fan (notshown) which discharges its dust-laden air through an exhaust passageway[4 into a filter bag (not shown). The fan is driven by an electric motor(not shown) which is housed within a hood 15 secured to the body I0 inany suitable manner. An agitator (not shown) is preferably positionedwithin the nozzle l3 and-is driven by an endless belt passing over anextension of the fan shaft in a manner well known in the art.

Attached to the rear of the body I!) and extending upwardly therefromare a pair of brackets l6 and H. The brackets T6 and I! carry a pivotpin 18 which extends beyond the bracket [6 for a purpose whichwilLpresently appear. A housing or handle socket l9, preferably acasting, is pivotally carried by the pivot pin I8. The housing [9comprises parallel cylindrical side walls 29 and 2|, a cylindrical wall22 and an axial circular opening 23 for rotatably receiving the cleaneroperating handle 24. Side walls ZIian'd 2i closely fit'between thebrackets I6 and" and have openings toreceive pivot pin l8, 7 0

An arcuate handle control sector 25 is mounted on the inside face ofbracket I! as by rivetsand carries a plurality of stops 26, 21,- and 28.Stops 26 and 21 have inclined cam surfaces 29 and 3,0 for a purpose tobe presently described. The sector 25 is also provided with an upperlimit stop 43 spacedfrom the stop 26. Slots 3| in the handle 24 receivepivot pin l8 and permit limited rotary movement of the handle 24 in thehousing l9.

The beveled lower end of the handle 24 projects slightly beyond thelower side of cylindrical portion 22 of housing l9. One half of thebeveled end is cut away to form a detent or shoulder 34. The innersurface of the handle 24 adjacent shoulder 34 cooperates with the stops26, 21, and

28 to control the position of the handle in a man-' ner which willpresently appear. Shoulder 34 also engages between stops 43 and 26 tohold the handle in storage position.

Due to slots 3| at the handle axis, handle 24 is free for limited rotarymovement in socket l 9. Hence it will be clear that shoulder 34 at thelower end of the handle can engage stop'26, 21 or 28 to lock the handleagainst downward move ment, or upon counterclockwise rotation, as viewedin Fig. 2, can be moved out of engagement with these stops.

In order to insure automatic locking of the handle against any one ofthe stops, a combined handle counterbalance and handle lockingarrangement is provided which may be of the fol lowing construction. Apin 35 passes freely through a slot36 in the lower wall 2| of handlesocket [9. The inner end of the pin is secured to the wall of handle 24adjacent its'lower end in any suitable manner. Slot 156 permits limitedrotary movement of the handle and also locks the handle in assembledposition in socket l9. P121 5 extends outwardly through anarcuate slot31 formed in handle bracket [6. This slot is of sufificient length formovement of the handle throughout its intended range of operation.

To counterbalance the weight of the handle and any attachments, such asa cleaner filter bag, as well as to bias shoulder 34 into lockingengagement with stops 26, 2'! and 28, a, common biasing means isprovided in the form of a torsion spring 38. As shown, this springsurrounds pivot pin l8 with one end abutting stop 39 secured to bracketl6 and the other end abutting pin 35 so as to urge this pin against theleft hand end of slot 36 (see Figure 1). It will thus be apparent thatspring 38 serves the dual purpose of counterbalancing the weight of thehandle and of maintaining shoulder 34 in locking position with respectto any one of the stops on control sector 25. Equally apparent is thefact that the operator can readily release the handle from any one ofits locked positions by a slight rotary movement in opposition to spring38. Immediately the operator relaxes the counterclockwise rotarypressure however, spring 38 automatically restores the handle to aposition in which pin 35 abuts the left hand end of slot 36 and in whichshoulder 34 is positioned to engage the stops.

Operation terclockwise in oppositionto spring 38 whereby the edge ofshoulder 34 will be rotated from behind the stop ZB-permitting thehandle to be freely pivotedbackwardly into its operating positionagainst. the counterbalancing action of spring 38. The counterclockwisemovement of the hand e is permitted by the slots 3| at the handle pivotand the slot 36 in the housing 19. Downward movement of the handle ispermitted by the arcuate slot 3'! in the bracket H5.

The spring 38 also opposes counterclockwise rotation of the hande 24 insocket so that when the handle is moved from its vertical position andthe rotating force is relaxed, spring 38 automatically returns shoulder34 into the path of the stops on control sector 25. The handle 24 maythen be used in the usual manner for propell ng the cleaner over thesurface being cleaned with shoulder 34 moving over the normal handleoperating range between stops 26 and 21.

If it is desired to clean under a bed or other low object where it isnecessary to move the handle 124 to its lower operating range, handle 24is rotated counterclockwise sufiiciently' to move shoulder 34 of handle24 from behind the stop Z'lpermitting the handle 24 to be moveddownwardly therepast. The spring 38 will again automatically return thehandle to its normal position with pin 35 against the left hand end ofslot 36. Stop 28 forms the lower limit for downward pivotal movement ofthe handle.

'When the handle is moved backwardly towards its vertical storageposition the edge of shoulder 34 will first contact cam surface 38 ofthe stop 2'! and automatically rotate the handle 24 counterclockwiseagainst the bias of spring 38. After the shoulder over-rides the stop,spring 38 IO- tates the handle clockwise to return the shoulder to itsnormal stop-engaging position. Further forward movement of the handle 24towards its vertical storage position will cause the edge of shoulder 34to engage the cam surface 29 of stop 26 which will automatically rotatethe handle 24 counter-clockwise. The shoulder 34 will then clear thestop 26 whereby the spring-38 will automatically move its edge into therecess between the stops 26 and '43 and automatically lock the handle instorage position.

From the foregoing itcan be seen that this invention provides 'a simplehandle control for portable tools such as suction cleaners and the likein which the handle is automatically locked in a storage position whenit is moved to that position and which may be released from a remotepoint by a simple turning movement of the handle. The counterbalancingspring which carries the weight of the handle also automatically returnsthe handle to its normal lock-engaging position. This same mechanismalso serves to control the handle in one or more handle operatingranges.

While I have shown but a single embodiment of my invention applied to aparticular tool, it is'to be understood that this embodiment is to betaken as illustrative of various equally efficacious applications of theinvention. I do not wish to be limited to the particular structure shownand described but to include all equivalent variations thereof except aslimited by the scope of the claims.

I claim:

" 1. A portable tool comprising, a body, a handle pivoted to the rear ofsaid body for movement from a locked position to an operating range,detent means carried by said body, cooperating movable detent meanscarried by said handle for locking said handle in said locked position,a single spring for counterbalancing the weight of said handle when inits operating range and for biasing said movable detent means toward itslocking position and second detent means carried by said body andengageable with said movable detent means for locking said handle frommovement from an inclined operating position to a lower operatingposition, said spring also biasing said movable detent means intolocking engagement with said second detent means.

2. A suction cleaner comprising, a body, a handle pivoted to the rear ofsaid bodyfor movement from non-operating position to an operating range,said handle also being mounted for limited movement relative to saidbody other than said pivotal movement, detent means carried by saidbody, coperating detent means on said handle for locking said handle insaid nonoperating position, said handle detent means being movable intoand out of engagement with said body detent meansby said handle by otherthan pivotal movement thereof, a single spring for counter-balancing asubstantial portion of the weight of said handle and for biasing saidhandle detent means into position to engage said body detent means andsecond detent means carried by said body for engagement with said handledetent means for locking said handle against movement from one operatingrange to a different operating range, said handle detent means beingmovable into and out of engagement with said second detent means by saidother handle movement. I

3. A suction cleaner comprising, a body, a handle, means for attachingsaid handle to said body rearwardly of the center of gravity thereof,said attaching means including means providing for rotary movement ofsaid handle on its longitudinal axis and pivotal movement thereof withrespect to said cleaner body from a nonoperating position to anoperating range, a single spring for resisting both said rotary movementand said pivotal movement and means including said handle for positivelylocking said handle in said non-operating position, said means beingreleasable by rotary movement of said handle against the bias of saidspring.

4. A suction cleaner according to claim 1 in which said handle. has aplurality of operating ranges and wherein said positive locking meansincludes means for positively locking said handle from movement from oneoperating range to another, said locking means being releasable byrotary movement of said handle against the bias of said spring.

5. A suction cleaner comprising, a body, a handle pivoted to the rear ofsaid body for movement from a vertical storage position to an inclinedoperating position, said handle having limited rotary movement on itslongitudinal axis, detent means on said body, detent means, on the lowerend of said handle engageable with said body detent means to lock saidhandle in its vertical storage position and being disengageabletherefrom by a rotary movement of said handle and a single spring forresisting both rotar and pivotal movement of said handle.

6. A suction cleaner according to claim 5 including a second detentmeans carried by said body engageable with said handle detent means forpreventing pivotal movement of said handle from an inclined operatingposition to a lower operating position, said handle detent means be- 1ing disengageable from said second detent means by a rotary movement ofsaid handle against the bias of said spring.

7. A suction cleaner comprising a body, a handle movably attached tosaid body, said attaching means including a pivot pin carried by saidbody, a handle socket mounted on said pin for receiving said handle, thelower end of said handle being shaped to form a locking detent, acooperating detent carried by said body, said handle having limitedfreedom for rotary movement in said socket to permit said handle lookingdetent to be disengaged from the detent on said body, a spring havingone end anchored to ,said handle and the other end to said body in Suchmanner as to bias said handle against pivotal movement about said pivotpin in one direction and to bias said handle detent so as 5 to lock saidhandle against pivotal movement with respect to said body.

8. A suction cleaner according to claim '7 including a control sectorcarried by said body, a

plurality of detents on said sector defining a plurality of handleoperating ranges therebetween, said handle locking detent being biasedby said spring to engage any one of said sector detents to limit pivotalmovement of said handle to a particular one of said operating ranges,the arrangement being such that rotary movement of said handle againstthe bias of said spring permits movement of said handle from oneoperating range to another.

9. A suction cleaner according to claim 8 in which said locking andsector detents are so formed as to over-ride one another when saidhandle is pivoted in one direction but automatically act to preventpivotal movement thereof in the opposite direction.

10. A handle control for a suction cleaner corriprising a handle socketpivoted to a cleaner body, an operating handle carried by said socketand having limited rotary movement with respect thereto, a controlsector carried by said cleaner body, the end of said cleaner handlebeing formed and so positioned with respect to said sector as to permitor prevent pivotal movement of said handle with respect to said cleanerbody whereby an operator may look or unlock said handle by a slightbodily rotary movement thereof.

11. The combination defined in the preceding claim characterized by theprovision of means normally biasing said handle toward lockin engagementwith said control sector.

12. The combination claimed in claim 11.

characterized in the provision of common means for biasing said handletoward locking engagement with the control sector and for urging pivotalmovement of said handle in one direction.

13. In combination with a floor cleaning tool for treating a floorsurface, an operating handle pivoted to said tool for pivotal movementin a vertical plane and having limited rotary movement on thelongitudinal axis thereof, handle position control means carried by saidtool opposite the lower end of said handle, the lower end of said handlebeing shaped and positioned to cooperate with said control means andoperable to permit unrestricted pivotal movement of the handle in onedirection but to lock said handle against pivotal movement in theopposite direction whereby the pivotal movement of said handle can becontrolled from the operatin end thereof by a slight. bodily rotarymovement of said handle.

14. A handle control as claimed in claim 13 characterized by theprovision of a plurality of spaced apart stops on said control meanproviding a plurality of operating ranges for said handle.

15. A handle control as defined in claim 13 characterized in that thelower end of said handle rand said stops are shaped to permit freeupward movement of said handle from any operating position but whichpositively lock the handle against downward movement from one range toanother unless the handle is rotated bodily to permit over-riding of astop.

16. In combination, a tool for movement over a surface to be treated. anoperatin handle pivoted thereto for movement in a predetermined plane,said handle being arranged for limited axial rotary movement, controlmeans carried by said tool opposite the lower end of said handle, thelower end of said handle being shaped and positioned to cooperate withsaid last named means to control the pivoted position of said handle,the arrangement being such that the handle can be released for movementfrom one operating range to another by slight bodily rotary movement,and means normally biasing said handle against said bodily rotarymovement.

GEO. A. BRACE.

Name Date Becker May 27, 1941 Number Certificate of Correction PatentNo. 2,525,282 October 10, 1950 V GEORGE A. BRACE It is hereby certifiedthat error appears in the printed specification of the above numberedpatent requiring correction as follows:

Column 5, line 13, for the claim reference numeral 1 read 3;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read as corrected above, sothat the same may conform to the record of the case in the PatentOflice. Signed and sealed this 16th day of January, A. D. 1951.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Commissioner of Patents.

